Warm sun, summer breeze, friends and drinks outside – how does life get any better?

Philadelphia is beautiful in the summertime. And lucky for us, more and more outdoor abysses keep popping up so we can enjoy the warm weather, city scenery AND local craft beers.

PHS Pop Up Garden

The annual Pennsylvania Pop Up Garden takes over a vacant lot, transforming it into an urban paradise with transplanted leftovers from the annual Flower Show. Get local food, booze, beer & enjoy the crisp summer nights with friends. Plus, proceeds give back to PHS programs like City Harvest, feeding local families in need.

• What: PHS Pop Up Garden
• Where: 1438 South Street, Philadelphia
• When: July 8 – Early Fall
• Hours: Monday-Friday at 11 AM; Saturday at 2 PM & Sundays at noon.

Independence Beer Garden

The Independence Beer Garden is gaining buzz. Sampan’s Restaurateur Michael Schulson 20,000square foot garden includes 2 bars with 40 taps, trees, movable picnic tables, s’more making with outdoor fire pits, 10 foot projection TV and outdoor games like shuffleboard to entertain you.

• What: Independence Beer Garden
• Where: 100 Independence Mall West, Old City, Philadelphia.
• When: July 10 – throughout the year, weather permitting.
• Hours: Daily opening at 11 AM.

 Spruce Street Harbor Park

The Spruce Street Harbor Park, located at the Penn’s Landing Marina, kicks off for July and August including a boardwalk, urban beach, fountains, pop up bar & restaurant and decorations to feel like an urban getaway. Plus, watch out for happy hour pop-ups, shoppable pop up markets &  special events.

The Blue Anchor features food & beverage from Jose Garces, serving local beer and cocktails.

• What: Spruce Street Harbor Park
• Where: 401 South Columbus, Philadelphia, PA 19106
• When: July & August.
• Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 4 – 11 PM; Thursday & Friday, 4 – 1 AM; Saturday, 11 AM – 1 AM; Sunday, 11 AM – 11 PM.

Garden Variety Philadelphia

This cute little corner across the street from Standard Tap, Garden Variety Philadelphia, is home to a patio, several food carts and most importantly, booze. Just get a membership to PSFC (Poplar Street Food Coalition), which is free at the door to those 21 & up.

• What: Garden Variety Philadelphia
• Where: 900 N. 2nd Street, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia
• When: May – October
• Hours: Ranges by food cart. Generally Thursdays & weekends (Friday-Sunday), from around 3 PM – 2:30 (or 3) AM

The Oval

Philadelphia Parks & Rec and the Fairmount Park Conservancy bring us tons of events like movies, food trucks and more at the “Oval” on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Luckily, they reserved a few evenings for us adults to hang out and enjoy a brew.

• What: Beer Garden on the Oval
• Where: 2601 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Art Museum (ish), Philadelphia
• When: Wednesdays-Saturdays through August 16th
• Hours: Weds-Fri 5-10 PM; Saturdays 2-7 PM.

Readers, what are you most pumped for this summer?

array(6) {
  [0]=>
  object(WP_Term)#10441 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(2716)
    ["name"]=>
    string(27) "Garden Variety Philadelphia"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(27) "garden-variety-philadelphia"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(2729)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(1)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [1]=>
  object(WP_Term)#10439 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(2715)
    ["name"]=>
    string(24) "Independence Beer Garden"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(24) "independence-beer-garden"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(2728)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(2)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [2]=>
  object(WP_Term)#10437 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(541)
    ["name"]=>
    string(18) "Northern Liberties"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(18) "northern-liberties"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(544)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(35)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [3]=>
  object(WP_Term)#12735 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(1947)
    ["name"]=>
    string(17) "PHS Pop Up Garden"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(17) "phs-pop-up-garden"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(1957)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(6)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [4]=>
  object(WP_Term)#10422 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(2713)
    ["name"]=>
    string(25) "Spruce Street Harbor Park"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(25) "spruce-street-harbor-park"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(2726)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(1)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [5]=>
  object(WP_Term)#12767 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(2714)
    ["name"]=>
    string(8) "the Oval"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(8) "the-oval"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(2727)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(2)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
}

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher